ETCETERAS: How to Galvanize and Rust a Tin

There are many methods to age metal. Depending on the type of metal and the look you want, you can turn your new metal objects into super rusty pieces, chippy, a patina finish or the look of galvanized metal. I was going for the galvanized metal look and ended up with galvanized metal with rust.

I don’t mind the rust. It’s always a bit of a chemistry experiment when you try to age metal.

To get the look of galvanized metal which has a dull, uneven finish, you soak your metal piece in toilet bowl cleaner. I used a heavy duty ziploc bag to soak my tin. The tin originally had a very shiny finish. I had used it for another project and it had globs of permanent glue on it. In order to get the glue off I sanded it lightly. This is probably why my piece not only “galvanized” but rusted. That and the fact that I forgot about it and left it soaking outside in the toilet bowl cleaner overnight.

* Use gloves and preferably work outside since the toilet bowl cleaner is very harsh.

When I remembered my tin the next day it was completely covered in orange rust. I thought it was ruined but once I rinsed it off most of the rust came off and I was left with a non-shiny, semi galvanized rusty tin.

The process is so interesting. I can’t wait to try it on another metal piece. The next time I won’t sand it and we’ll see if I get just a galvanized look.

Since it’s summer, I added a starfish to the top of my tin.

You can check out my previous post on how I rusted a jar lid with vinegar here. Have you ever aged metal? What technique have you used? Let me know, I love trying new things.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

 

P.S.

Did you know that I have another blog called DETAILS? It’s a gallery style blog where I feature great content that inspires me. Feel free to submit your projects to DETAILS.  Click over  and use the handy super-easy submission form under the submission tab.